The Passover, you remember, is the name given to the feast established
to commemorate the time when the destroying angel _passed over_ the
houses of the Hebrews, which had been marked by the blood of the lamb.
At this festsival, a lamb was killed, and called the Paschal Lamb. It
was on the day that "the passover must be killed" that Peter and John
were requested to make preparation.
"Where wilt thou that we prepare?" they asked.
[Sidenote: An Upper Room Prepared.]
"When ye have entered into the city," replied Jesus, "there shall a man
meet you bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he
entereth in. Ask him, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the
Passover with my disciples? And he shall show you a large upper room
furnished; there make ready." [2]
The two apostles did as they were directed, found everything just as
the Lord had stated, and made the necessary preparations.
At the appointed hour Jesus and the Twelve gathered in this upper
room. Some think it was in Mark's house, some the house of Joseph
of Arimathea, but we do not know, nor does it much matter. We are
interested most in what took place there.
[Sidenote: A Solemn Meeting.]
Jesus sat at the head of the feast. On one side, close enough to
recline on His Master's breast sat John, and on the other side sat
Peter. It was, perhaps, the most solemn meeting at which the Twelve had
ever gathered; for the Savior said at the beginning:
"With desire," that is with longing earnestness, "I have desired to eat
this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not
any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled which is written in the
prophets concerning me."
Meaning that His hour had come when His enemies should take Him and put
Him to death.
Near the end of the supper, Jesus rose from where He was reclining,
laid aside His outer garments, took a towel and tied it around His
waist, thus assuming a servant's dress. He then took a basin of water
and proceeded to wash the disciples' feet.
[Sidenote: Jesus Washeth Disciples' Feet.]
It may be that the Savior had detected in the minds of some the same
thought which had caused a dispute among them once before, as to who
was the greatest among them. Perhaps this thought arose when they saw
Peter and John occupying the places of honor. At any rate, their Lord,
the greatest among them, assumed the attitude of servant, the least and
humblest of them all.
[Sidenote: Peter Objects.]
When He came to Peter, the latter said: "Lord, dost _Thou_ wash _my_
feet?" Peter would serve his Master, but his Master must never serve
him!
"What I do thou knowest not now: but thou shalt know hereafter,"
answered Jesus.
"Thou needst not to wash my feet."
"If I wash thee not," continued Jesus, "thou hast no part with me."
When Peter thought that his refusal to submit to be served by the Lord,
was really putting the Savior away from him, he said,
"Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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